Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 282 Inappropriate

Duke Zheng's Mansion.

The copper rings outside the vermilion gate were covered in dust, and the mansion was shrouded in gloom and despair.

The once bustling Duke's mansion is now filled with a sense of panic, even the buzzing of a fly.

After his grandson was imprisoned and his mansion was sealed off, Guo Pi was so enraged that he coughed up blood and fell ill on the spot, unable to utter a single coherent sentence.

The desolation of a century-old illustrious family, a edifice on the verge of collapse, permeates every corner.

The servants were terrified and silent, and the protégés and former officials who were attached to the Duke of Zheng's mansion were even more insecure.

Some were busy distancing themselves, burning all their correspondence overnight. Others secretly transferred their land and shops, preparing to withdraw from the situation. The entire elite circle in the capital was in turmoil because of this case…

In the quiet inner courtyard...

Guo Yunrong staggered toward the stables, stepping on the torn fragments of the letter, oblivious to the mud stains on her skirt.

"Third Miss, the stables are wet and filthy, be careful not to get your shoes dirty..."

The maid Chun Tao rushed forward and grabbed her, almost crying with anxiety.

"The Duke gave strict orders before closing the mansion: no one in the mansion is allowed to step out of the gate! Miss..."

"I'm going anyway." Guo Yunrong's voice was very soft. She forcefully broke free from Chun Tao's hand, looked up at the plaque symbolizing the family's honor, and her eyes were red.

"I'll go to Shuiyue Nunnery and beg Sister Xue to help me. She won't just stand by and watch me die..."

"My girl!"

Chun Tao's tears fell in a stream, her voice trembling with sobs.

“This servant…this servant secretly asked around, but Master Miaozhen hasn’t returned to Shuiyue Nunnery since the day the Crown Prince returned in triumph. Where are you going to find her…”

"Not here? Where could she have gone?" Guo Yunrong froze, then turned sharply to look at Chun Tao.

"Don't you understand, young lady? She's avoiding you." Chun Tao tugged at her sleeve, her voice shrill with anxiety. "Now that the Duke's mansion is in trouble, everyone's kicking it while it's down... Those people who used to be close to you, calling you 'sister' and 'brother' all the time, are now avoiding you like the plague, afraid of getting into trouble. Master Miaozhen probably doesn't want to get involved in this mess either..."

Guo Yunrong's face instantly drained of all color.

She stood silently in place.

After a moment, his fingers gripped the handkerchief tightly.

"Then I will go to the Eastern Palace and plead with His Highness the Crown Prince..."
-
Zichen Palace.

Emperor Chongzhao sat behind his large desk, his fingertips twirling a vermilion brush, which hovered in mid-air for a long time.

What lay before them was a memorial detailing the crimes of the Duke of Zheng's mansion in embezzling military supplies and reselling grain.

The air inside the hall was filled with the fragrance of incense, but it couldn't dispel the invisible gloom on his face.

"The Guo family, this old tree... it's already hollowed out, yet it still tries to undermine my imperial palace."

He suddenly looked up at Wang Chengxi, who was standing to his side.

"If you report the truth, are there any criticisms from inside or outside the court?"

Wang Chengxi bowed even lower, answering respectfully and cautiously.

"Your Majesty is wise and sagacious. His Highness the Crown Prince was publicly punished in the streets, and the court and the people inside and outside the court applauded and cheered, saying that the current emperor is a wise ruler and the crown prince is a virtuous minister assisting the country... This is a blessing for the Great Liang and a fortune for the nation..."

"A wise heir to assist the country?" Emperor Chongzhao revealed an enigmatic smile, drawing a heavy circle around the name "Guo Pi," the ink seeping through the paper.

"My good son cut off my arm on his first day back in the capital. His filial piety is truly commendable."

Wang Chengxi remained silent.

Emperor Chongzhao suddenly threw his vermilion brush onto the imperial platform, causing ink to splatter lightly.

"He certainly had a good time. How many of these officials can sleep soundly? My old ministers, while outwardly praising me, are secretly whispering among themselves, all waiting to see how I'll handle this. Hmph, they're all as cunning as monkeys, not one of them is easy to deal with. I don't know how many more days my ailing body can keep them in check."

Wang Chengxi lowered his head even further and held his breath.

"Your Majesty...this old servant is foolish and dares not...dare not speak presumptuously..."

"Hmph, you old codger, you're getting better and better at playing dumb."

Emperor Chongzhao glared at him. "The Empress Dowager claimed illness and did not attend the welcoming banquet, the Grand Princess refused all visitors, and Xiao Song waited in the Xuanzheng Hall early this morning to submit a memorial of apology—"

"Which one of them isn't using me as a stage? If I weren't still old enough to wield a sword, this Great Liang empire would have been devoured by these jackals long ago, leaving not even bone fragments..."

Wang Chengxi was greatly alarmed.

He fell to his knees with a thud, his forehead touching the gold brick, cold sweat pouring down his face, not daring to utter a single word.

The night wind rustled through the iron clappers on the eaves, making a clanging sound.

Emperor Chongzhao closed his eyes wearily, leaned back on the dragon throne, and unconsciously tapped the armrest with his fingers.

After a long while, he opened his eyes. "Prince Duan has indeed made considerable contributions to the war in the Western Frontier by overseeing military supplies and clearing the supply lines... I might as well give him the position of acting Minister of Justice in charge of military supplies as well. I want to see which of my sons is forming cliques for personal gain and which is trying to seize power..."
-
Prince Duan's Mansion.

Xue Yuechen sat alone on the soft couch by the window, wearing only a thin apricot-red nightgown. Her long, black hair was loose, which made her face look even paler and more haggard.

"The prince was just devising a plan to rescue the crown prince in the golden palace, and now he's taking on this hot potato from the Guo family. Everyone praises him for his great sense of justice, loyalty to the emperor and the country, and for being a good and affectionate young man. But why doesn't he understand my predicament..."

Jade held up a cup of warm, calming tea and gently advised, "Your Highness, please relax and have some tea to warm yourself up."

Xue Yuechen took the drink, sipped it, shook her head, and sighed softly.

"If the Guo family falls, the Xue family will be next..."

Emerald frowned. "Your Highness, please don't overthink things. Ning'er is asleep, Your Highness should also rest early and not ruin your health..."

Xue Yuechen glanced at her youngest daughter sleeping beside her, showing no signs of sleepiness.

During the day, her mother secretly delivered a letter, saying that her maternal grandfather's family had shady dealings with the Duke of Zheng's mansion, and that they might have been targeted by the Crown Prince. She asked her to plead with Prince Duan to see if he could intervene...

Although the Xue family was not involved in the case, they were related to the Guo family by marriage and had a long-standing professional relationship. Furthermore, Xue Qingzhi worked for the Ministry of Justice, which put them in a potentially compromising position, making it difficult for them to avoid being implicated and questioned.

Which powerful family could withstand repeated scrutiny?
A powerful family that held sway over the court fell just as easily...

She lowered her head, as if she could still hear the heart-wrenching cries of the Duchess of Zheng and see the ashen, desperate faces of her loved ones.

The seemingly magnificent pavilion was crumbling inch by inch beneath her feet...

Her husband was her only hope...

"Squeak-"

The door was pushed open gently.

Li Huan walked in.

He had changed out of his court robes and was now wearing only a casual brocade robe. His eyes were cold and clear, and his black hair was loosely tied in his jade crown. His face showed obvious signs of fatigue.

"Is Aning asleep? Is she sleeping soundly?"

When he saw Xue Yuechen, his tone was calm, but his gaze softened unconsciously as he looked at the child.

Little Aning had just finished crying and was now fast asleep, her long eyelashes glistening with tears, her little mouth slightly pursed, emitting soft and even breathing sounds.

Li Huan sat down beside the bed, his gaze falling on his daughter's sleeping face, just about to make a move...

Xue Yuechen suddenly turned to the side and hugged the child tightly, as if the child was her only lifeline. Her body leaned forward slightly due to excitement, and when she stared at Li Huan, tears of grievance almost fell.

"Your Highness is burdened with official duties, so please go back and rest early. Ning'er cried for a long time before falling asleep, so please don't disturb her..."

Li Huan's fingertips lingered on his daughter's temple, and he slowly withdrew his hand after a long while.

"Reporting to Your Highness..." The wet nurse glanced at Xue Yuechen with concern, then hesitated to speak.

"The young lady may have been... perhaps she was frightened on the Imperial Street. She has been sleeping very restlessly these past two days, and it took the Princess a long time to coax her to sleep..."

"Go down," Li Huan interrupted calmly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

Jade gave the wet nurse a wink, carefully tucked the blanket around the child, and quietly left, closing the door behind her.

Only the couple remained inside.

Li Huan walked to the table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and gulped it down.

The cool liquid calmed his agitated mind a little.

He put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Xue Yuechen's pale face, his tone carrying a deliberately suppressed calm.

“Ah Ning is naturally mischievous and loves to cause trouble. You should control your temper and take good care of her. If she keeps crying all the time, what kind of image will that have if word gets out?”

Xue Yuechen suddenly raised her tear-filled eyes.

Like the mournful howl of the night wind blowing through the window, it sounded particularly jarring in the silent night.

"Your Highness, the court is in complete chaos. My maternal family is being targeted by the censors, and my natal family is also in imminent danger. How can I possibly pretend to be safe and sound?"

Li Huan frowned.

Xue Yue said in a sorrowful voice, "Your Highness, tell me, if the Duke of Zheng's mansion falls, who will be next? Will it be our Xue family's turn?"

Her voice rose higher and higher, trembling with sobs: "The Crown Prince and the Prince are already at odds, could they take this opportunity..."

"Your Highness." Li Huan suddenly shouted, his carefully maintained composure finally crumbling, revealing the deep-seated irritation, gloom, and a hint of... barely perceptible powerlessness beneath.

"Look at the state you've become! Hysterical, blaming everyone and everything. What have you done besides crying and yelling with the baby?"

He pointed to A-Ning in her arms.

"How can you be a mother if you behave so improperly? How can you teach Aning to be polite and chaste, and uphold the dignity of a noble lady?"

(End of this chapter)